Aria’s POV

The moment the words left my mouth, I knew they struck deep.

His scent changed. It was laced with hurt, humiliation and fury tangled together. He bit his lip so hard his body trembled.

Amelia rubbed his back in what looked like comfort, but her voice remained sharp. "You’re young. You see people through rose-colored glasses. Your parents don’t deserve..."

"I’m not pitiful!"

The words exploded out of him.

He looked like a wounded cub ready to bite. His shoulders hunched, his eyes blazed as he glared at us. "My mom and dad are the best parents in the world! They left Duckspire without me to protect me! You don’t know anything! I won’t let you slander them!"

For a split second, my wolf bristled.

"I’m a parent too," I said coolly. "No matter what hunted me, I would never leave my child behind."

"That’s because you’ve never been threatened!" Jackson snapped back, tears shining in his eyes. "You’ve never been intimidated, so you get to judge them!"

Amelia’s expression shifted instantly.

She crouched down in front of him, grasping his trembling hand. Her voice softened, turning gentle as falling snow. "Threatened? What do you mean, sweetheart? Did someone hurt your family?"

The anger drained out of him all at once.

I watched it happen, the way his defenses crumbled under genuine concern. His shoulders shook, his breath coming in uneven gasps.

"A few weeks ago..." he whispered.

His scent changed again, filled with cold fear, sharp as metal.

"..Men broke into our home. They destroyed our furnitures, shattered our glasses. When my mother tried to stop them, they shoved her to the floor." He sniffed. I felt bad for him

"Bring out Tyler, one of them had demanded," Jackson continued.

"My father, who should’ve been at the lumber mill, rushed home after the call. And the moment he saw those men, all the strength drained from his face."

‘The biggest man from the group of men asked him, "Have you thought about it?" he was looming over my father like a mountain.’

I felt my wolf growl low in my chest.

"After several back and forth, my father caved and told them he would help. They mentioned they would take my mother and I too, but my father dropped to his knees instantly, begging them to leave me behind. My mother wrapped herself around me begging them to come closer."

Jackson glanced between Amelia and I. *The men hesitated. One of them made a call."

Amelia’s voice was steady and guiding. "Do you remember who they called?"

Jackson’s jaw clenched. "Mr. Darvin."

The name hit like a blade.

Cold crept up my spine.

Amelia and I exchanged a glance. The same conclusion snapped into place between us, wordless and heavy.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "We can help you find your parents," I said carefully. "But you’ll need to come with us."

My wolf watched him closely, measuring his fear, his courage, the lonely strength of a cub forced to survive alone.

"Are you willing?"

I bent slightly, lowering myself to Jackson’s eye level, letting my wolf ease back just enough not to frighten him.

Jackson’s brows knitted together, and he rose to his feet and took a wary step back. His heartbeat sped up. I could hear it. It was quick, uneven, like a frightened rabbit caught between running and freezing.

"You did this on purpose," he said, his eyes sharp despite his young age. "You were looking for me from the start."

Beside me, Amelia’s gaze gleamed with interest. Amusement flickered across her features as though she hadn’t expected him to be this perceptive.

"Yes," I admitted calmly. There was no point lying to a child who could probably smell deception as well as he could. "I’m dealing with the people who took your parents. I need evidence, and you’re part of it."

I let my words settle.

Jackson went quiet. His gaze dropped to the floor, thick lashes casting deep shadows against his pale skin.

My wolf growled softly in my chest.

For a long moment, neither Amelia nor I spoke. The silence stretched until even the hum of the lights felt loud. Then Jackson lifted his head and nodded, jaw tightening with a determination that didn’t belong to a child.

"Okay."

Amelia and I handled Jackson’s temporary leave from school quickly. Some things were easier when people didn’t ask too many questions, especially when a little pack pressure and paperwork were involved.

By the time we returned to the hotel, the sun had already sunk low, dusk clinging to the edges of the sky. My wolf was restless and uneasy, pacing beneath my skin.

I had just reached the second floor when I scented him.

A familiar presence curled tight. He was crouched by my door like a stray who’d decided this was home.

It was Logan.

When he heard my footsteps, he looked up, his eyes dull at first and then blazing to life the instant he saw me.

He surged to his feet too quickly, nearly collapsing. I stepped forward automatically, catching his arm.

And then it hit me.

Damn it.

I’d forgotten.

The search had gone too smoothly. We could leave Duckspire tomorrow morning, but I’d promised Logan something I couldn’t undo.

I had promised to take him to my grandmother’s cemetery. Her place of rest.

My chest tightened.

"Who’s this?" Logan asked, gaze flicking to Jackson. Curiosity sharpened with instinctive wariness.

"He’s going back to Asterfell with us tomorrow," I said.

Logan froze.

"You’re leaving tomorrow?" His voice cracked. "But...Aria! You forgot what you promised me!" His eyes widened, panic bleeding through. "I want to go to Asterfell too!"

I rubbed my temples. My wolf sighed heavily.

"How about this," I said. "I’ll go with you in the morning. Then I’ll return to Asterfell in the afternoon."

He relaxed—slightly. Then his brows furrowed again. "What about Asterfell? I want to go there too."

"What would you even do there?" I frowned.

Logan tilted his head, eyes bright and guileless, like an overgrown pup. "I want to follow you."

Just like that. As if it were the most natural thing in the world. I nearly laughed from sheer irritation.

If I’d known I’d end up saddled with someone this persistent, I would’ve walked away the first day.

Logan’s shoulders drooped, his gaze dimming. He lowered his head, radiating wounded puppy energy so strong even my wolf twitched uncomfortably.

Here we go again. Playing pitiful.

"Book your own ticket," I said flatly.

Then I grabbed Amelia’s sleeve, ushered Jackson inside, and slammed the door shut behind us.